Thoughts and Reflections

Matthew 9:37

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Most of us have had jobs that needed help. We’ve had tasks at home or at work where we just didn’t have enough help. As I recover from shoulder surgery – I can cut my grass but I cannot hoist the weed whacker onto my shoulders and trim – so – today – my son-in-love will come by and give me a hand. We all need help from time to time.

When was the last time you needed help accomplishing something? Maybe it was after surgery – maybe it was a task that just too more than two hands. Maybe you needed someone to hold one end of a board while you nailed the other end? Maybe it was something too heavy for one person to lift? Maybe it was the time you fell and needed help getting up?

In today’s passage – Jesus reminds His disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Jesus was referring to the harvest of souls – kingdom work that needed many to help. He was encouraging His disciples to not only join the work of bringing souls into the kingdom but to draw others to join the harvest as well. Continue reading →

Luke 10:2

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There is a sad statement that is common knowledge in the church world! It goes like this – 20% of the people do 80% of the work in the church. At times this might be because the 20% has a hard time sharing or delegating the work load. At times it might be a control issue on the part of the 20%. But most often it is because the 80% aren’t joining in the labors for Christ in the church. Are we part of the 20% or the 80%?

Think about this for a moment. Are we only attending worship in our church and doing nothing else? Are we only taking what the church offers – youth ministry – children’s ministry – family ministry – worship – etc. and not giving anything back? In essence are we takers without being a givers as well? Continue reading →

Luke 10:2

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There is a sad statement that is common knowledge in the church world! It goes like this – 20% of the people do 80% of the work in the church. At times this might be because the 20% has a hard time sharing or delegating the work load. At times it might be a control issue on the part of the 20%. But most often it is because the 80% aren’t joining in the labors for Christ in the church. Are you part of the 20% or the 80%?

Think about this for a moment. Are you only attending worship in your church and doing nothing else? Are you only taking what the church offers – youth ministry – children’s ministry – family ministry – worship – etc. and not giving anything back? In essence are you a taker without being a giver as well?

There is another saying we might be familiar with – it goes like this – you get out of something what you put into it. I wonder what a church would look like if everyone associated with that church were to serve God in some capacity in the life of that church? What if everyone in the church considered themselves workers in the harvest fields Christ has for us? I mean – we can all help somewhere! Right?

Here are some ideas and suggestions. What if everyone who came to worship at a particular church personally invited others – often – even weekly – to attend with them? What if those who used a particular ministry – children – youth – Best Years – Bible Studies – Small Groups – worship – counseling services – etc. – offered to help in another area of the church’s ministry? The 20% would be excited – even tickled – that others were entering the harvest field with them!

Did you know that most all of the ministries in our church could use more help? What would it look like if 80% of the people were involved in the ministry of the church? What if we all helped in some capacity – making the load lighter for others and enabling us to do more for Jesus? Although 20% of the people do 80% of the work – they cannot do that 80% well – because they are so stretched. I would imagine – if 80% were involved in doing the labor of the Lord at our church – the amount of work and the quality of the work would increase and improve. It just makes sense! Right?

So where are you helping your church? Do you feel like you just don’t have the time to help? Do you feel you just don’t have the abilities to help? If these fit you – what about being a generous giver so that we might hire others to do what you feel you don’t have the time or abilities to do? Did you know that a tithe of a $40,000 annual family income is $4,000 or about $77 a week in offering? Of course a tithe on a family income of $80,000 would be $8,000 or about $154 a week in offering. You can easily figure out your tithe. Just saying. (by the way – we are all called to tithe or sacrificially give and we are all called to serve in some capacity)

Luke 10:2 – He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Today I ask the Lord to increase the workers at our church – to enable us to harvest the fields around our church for Jesus! Will you step up and say Lord – here I am – use me? We are in a season of electing officers/leaders for 2013 and ministries will begin anew this fall which need help. Where is God calling you to serve? The third part of our mission statement is to send out the people to serve Christ. This is not always outside the church but often inside as well. What gifts has God given you to be used to His glory? If you would like to serve but can’t find a place – contact me please. We can find a place for you to work in the harvest fields for sure!